AFC Wimbledon currently play at Kingsmeadow in Kingston-Upon-Thames Credit: PA

The plans included the demolition of the former Wimbledon greyhound track, replacing it with a new 20,000-seat stadium, homes and fitness club.

The mayor's decision follows a 14-day consultation, where the public was asked to comment on the application. The application has now been handed back to Merton Council to determine.

I have taken the time to consult local residents, businesses and other interested parties and, having weighed up all of the evidence available to me, I’m confident the stadium and the leisure facility proposed alongside it will be of great benefit to Londoners and the wider community for generations to come. As such, I have decided to return the application to the local council to determine itself.

– SADIQ KHAN, MAYOR OF LONDON

I am absolutely thrilled with the Mayor’s decision to hand the decision back to us and we look forward to the home-coming of this much-loved and well-deserving team. Merton wants to see AFC Wimbledon back on Wimbledon turf. We will now be working with the applicant towards the delivery of the site.